Picture of Brooke Shields in bikini replaces naked Tate Modern shot

The Tate Modern gallery will exhibit a later photograph of Brooke Shields in a
bikini after the controversial photograph of the actress aged 10 was removed
amid concerns it could be in breach of child pornography laws.

A statement from the gallery said: “In consultation with the artist, Richard Prince, Tate has replaced Spiritual America 1983 with a later version of the work made by him in collaboration with Brooke Shields, Spiritual America IV 2005.

“The room reopens to the public on Tuesday 13 October 2009. Tate is in ongoing discussions with legal advisors about the catalogue.”

The original picture was withdrawn by the Tate Modern following a visit by the Metropolitan Police who are consulting the Crown Prosecution Service over whether the image breaches the Obscene Publications Act.

The Tate chose to include the original picture in the Pop Life: Art In A Material World after consulting lawyers. It has been exhibited in the US before but never in Britain.